Parasites are organisms that exist at the expense of the host. Its vital activity in the human body can be asymptomatic. Therefore, helminth infestation is one of the least diagnosed pathologies.
Parasitic diseases have serious consequences. According to the World Health Organization, they cause the death of 16 million people around the world. To quickly detect the parasite and prevent complications, it is necessary to know the possible routes of infection and the symptoms.
How dangerous are parasites?
Parasites can live both in the body and inside a person. Some varieties are not dangerous, while others pose a serious threat to life. The waste products of helminths have a toxic effect. When there is a large accumulation, the body becomes poisoned.
Symptoms of parasite poisoning:
- vomit;
- weakness;
- loss of appetite;
- high body temperature;
- fever;
- convulsions.
Treatment must be started on time, because the neglected condition can be fatal.
The consequences of parasitic infection differ depending on the location of the parasite. Worms can cause an allergic reaction, blindness, paralysis, destroy the liver, lungs, brain and affect the functioning of other organs. They reduce immunity, making a person more susceptible to infectious diseases.
The most dangerous parasites:
- Brain amoeba (tapeworm). It lives in the brain, has a life expectancy of up to 20 years. As the tapeworm grows, it tends to kill its owner. Mortality occurs in 97% of cases. The worm causes inflammation of the brain and infection can be caused by eating contaminated meat or water.
- Intestinal worms. Annelids, which are often found on a child's body. Adults grow up to 30 cm in length. Symptoms of general poisoning appear and one can become infected with dirty hands.
- Onchocercavolvulus. A worm that causes river blindness (onchocerciasis).
- tryponasome. It causes chronic heart and intestinal diseases.
- australian tick. It causes a severe allergic reaction leading to respiratory failure.
General symptoms
The most common signs of the presence of parasites are allergic manifestations in the form of hives, itchy skin, rashes, fever and bronchial asthma attacks.
General symptoms of parasitosis in the body:
- nausea vomiting;
- abdominal pain;
- intestinal dysfunction (diarrhea or constipation);
- itching in the anus;
- grinding teeth while sleeping;
- loss of appetite;
- headache;
- weakness, fatigue;
- avitaminosis;
- decreased immunity;
- anemia;
- cough;
- joint or muscle pain;
- a sharp decrease or increase in body weight.
Symptoms may not appear immediately. For example, clinical signs of pinworm infection appear after 2-3 days, and with roundworms - after 3 months.
types of parasites
Parasites can live in any part of the human body. They are usually found in the intestines and liver, but can parasitize the lungs, muscle tissue, blood, blood vessels, and brain. If the larva enters the bloodstream, it can attach to any internal organ, disrupting its functioning.
What parasites live in the human body? There are more than 250 species that can live off humans. Their sizes vary from microscopic to meters long, and their number can also vary.
The main types of parasites in humans can be distinguished:
- ectoparasites;
- helminths;
- protozoa (protozoa).
Ectoparasites
This species lives on the skin. Representatives of ectoparasites:
- head, pubic and body louse - pediculosis;
- bed bug – carries infectious diseases such as hepatitis, tuberculosis, typhoid fever;
- demodex - demodicosis;
- scabies mite - scabies;
- coclioma – cocliomiasis.
Parasite infection occurs through contact and household contact. They are transmitted by skin-to-skin contact, through personal hygiene items and clothing. Cocliomiasis occurs when infection is caused by flies, which are common in North and Central America.
Protozoan parasites
These include the following parasites:
- in the intestines: amoebas, lamblia, leishmania, blastocysts, balanditia;
- in the blood - trypanosomes, babesia;
- in the genitourinary system – Trichomonas;
- in internal organs (heart, lungs, liver, brain): toxoplasma, trypanosomes, acanthamoeba.
Infection occurs through food, water, sexual contact (in the case of Trichomonas).
Helminths
These are worms that, in the course of their vital activity, disrupt the functioning of internal organs and metabolism. The worms can be only a few centimeters long or reach between 7 and 10 m.
During primary infection, they settle in the intestines and during repeated infection they can affect other organs and muscles. The most common worms are those that live in the rectum, liver, bile ducts, and lungs.
The most common diseases caused by helminth parasites:
- ascariasis. The larvae pass through the digestive tract and settle in the intestines. An adult reaches 25-30 cm.
- opisthorchiasis. Adults infect the bile ducts and enter the human body along with infected fish.
- cestodes. Tapeworm infection occurs in humans through meat and fish, affecting the intestines.
- schistosomiasis. Caused by trematodes or flatworms. Infection occurs when water contaminated with freshwater snails comes into contact with the skin.
This species includes a large number of subspecies. In total, more than 300 varieties of helminths have been registered.
They can be grouped into 3 groups:
- nematodes – intestinal worms;
- trematodes - trematodes;
- Cestodes are tapeworms.
Nematodes
The most prominent representatives of intestinal worms:
- pinworms;
- Intestinal worms;
- whipworms.
The main routes of helminth infection are consumption of dirty food or contaminated water, unwashed hands, and insect bites. Nematodes settle in the gastrointestinal tract, less often in the liver, lungs and heart.
The main symptoms of the presence of parasites in the human intestine:
- nausea vomiting;
- itching in the anus;
- skin rash;
- indigestion;
- chronic fatigue.
When the population is large, the parasites leave the body naturally. In this case, nematodes can be found in the feces.
Trematodes
Lead to the emergence of dangerous infectious diseases. These parasites, depending on their habitat, can be divided into the following groups:
- blood flukes - schistosomes;
- liver flukes – liver flukes;
- intestinal flukes;
- pancreatic parasites;
- lung flukes.
The symptoms of the infection depend on the affected organ. This may be weakness, dizziness, loss of appetite, nausea, abnormal bowel movements, pale skin, irritability, or apathy.
The main source of infection is the release of excrement from animals or sick people into water and soil.
cestodes
Tapeworms live in the intestines. They enter the human body when insufficiently thermally processed meat and fish are consumed. The greatest danger comes from the pork tapeworm, which can migrate into the bloodstream, muscle tissue and brain.
Cestodes can parasitize the body for a long time without obvious signs and grow to impressive sizes. The length of an adult is up to 10 m. Common diseases caused by cestodes are avitellinosis and echinococcosis.
Common representatives of cestodes:
- had;
- had bovine and pork;
- sheep brain;
- echinococcus.
Which doctor should I contact if I suspect I have parasites?
Parasitic diseases are treated by parasitologists. They should be contacted if an infection is suspected. A dermatologist can also detect parasites on the skin.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of parasitic worms is made through laboratory examination of stool. To identify worms, it will be necessary to take three tests.
Pinworm parasites are identified by scraping, which is done with adhesive tape. Organs that are not involved in digestion can be checked for parasites with a blood test or biopsy.
Treatment
You can cleanse the human body of parasites with the help of medicines and folk remedies. The duration of treatment depends on the degree of infection and intoxication of the body.
Pharmacological treatment of parasites.
Treatment of helminthiasis involves the use of anthelmintics. They are toxic, so they cannot be used without a confirmed diagnosis.
The symptoms of helminthiasis can be relieved with symptomatic treatment. Vitamin preparations, choleretic agents, hepatoprotectors, laxatives, antiallergic drugs, antibiotics and probiotics are used.
For severe allergic reactions, corticosteroids are prescribed.
Traditional parasite treatment.
You can get rid of parasites from the human body using the following traditional medicine:
- Enema with cranberry juice. Helps get rid of helminths and protozoa. For 2 liters of water you need to take 2 tablespoons. l. cranberry juice and 1 tbsp. l. salt. Carry out the procedure 2 times a day.
- garlic enema. You can get rid of intestinal parasites this way: boil 6 cloves of garlic in 1 liter of milk, cool and make an enema.
- Pumpkin seeds. Peeled seeds (300 g) should be crushed, add a small amount of water and add 100 g of honey. Eat at the same time along with a laxative.
- Onion infusion. Chop a large onion into pieces, pour boiling water over it and leave for 12 hours. Drink 100 g 3-4 times a day.
To eliminate parasites from the stomach and intestines, it is necessary to eat spicy food. By consuming garlic, onion, hot spices and herbs, you can easily get rid of pinworms, for example.
Complications
Parasites negatively affect the human body. If helminthiasis is not treated, serious complications arise:
- frequent acute respiratory viral infections, enlarged adenoids and tonsils;
- appendicitis;
- enteritis, gastroenteritis, enterocolitis;
- cirrhosis;
- Liver cancer;
- anemia;
- gastrointestinal bleeding;
- pancreatitis;
- bronchitis;
- oncological diseases;
- cerebral edema;
- Purulent-septic lesions.
The vital activity of parasites in the stomach causes peritonitis, in the lungs - pneumonia. Nematodes obstruct the respiratory and bile ducts, causing asphyxiation or intestinal obstruction.
Prevention
Preventive measures against parasite infection:
- wash your hands before eating and after going out;
- consume only washed vegetables and fruits, boiled water;
- store food in accordance with sanitary standards, avoid contact with flies;
- eat meat and fish only after heat treatment;
- do not swim in polluted waters;
- do not use other people's personal hygiene products;
- Perform pet deworming.
Although worms pose a threat to human health and life, cleansing of the body should only be carried out after parasites have been detected and under the supervision of a doctor. Timely diagnosis of helminthiasis will help avoid serious complications. It is important to take preventive measures, especially in children.
Frequently asked questions
What symptoms may indicate the presence of parasites in the human body?
Some common symptoms of parasitic infections may include fatigue, weakness, weight loss, abdominal pain, stomach upset, allergic reactions, and changes in appetite and sleep.
What signs can indicate the presence of parasites in the human body?
Signs of parasites in the body may include the presence of parasites in stool, blood tests, and symptoms of specific parasitic infections such as malaria, trichinosis, and others.
How can parasites in the human body be treated?
Treatment of parasites in the human body may include taking antiparasitic medications under medical supervision, as well as hygiene and prevention measures to avoid reinfection.
Helpful tips
Tip #1
Pay attention to symptoms such as constant fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, weight changes, allergic reactions; These may be signs of the presence of parasites in the body.
Tip #2
Have a special examination with a doctor to identify parasites. This may include analysis of stool, blood, urine, ultrasound and other diagnostic methods.
Tip #3
When treating parasites, consult your doctor for appropriate medications and diet and lifestyle recommendations.